Author: Kevin

Are You a “Fan” of Changing Seasons?

Written by Kevin on October 2, 2017. Posted in General Advice. No Comments on Are You a “Fan” of Changing Seasons?

In the fall and spring of each year, remembering to change the direction of rotation of your ceiling fans may make a bigger difference than you think! Knowing which direction they should rotate can sometimes be trickier than it seems. Suppose the directions say the blades should turn clockwise, does that mean clockwise when you’re looking down the shaft of the fan from the top? Or does it mean clockwise when you are below looking up at the fan? They’re not the same! So here is the definitive way to know how to set your fans for any given time of year or situation.

Heat Rises

First, you need to remember one basic principle: heat rises. Whether it is summer or winter, whether you’re running your air-conditioner or heat, the warmest air will always tend to pool toward the ceiling and the cooler air will always tend to pool towards the floor. This is even true if your air-conditioning vents are set in the ceiling or your heating vents are set in the floor.

Fan Blades Are Angled

If you look at the fan blades, you’ll notice they are not set exactly horizontally in the fixture. They are angled slightly. If you imagine the blades as big spatulas mixing up a cake batter, you can envision that if the blade moved in one direction, the strokes of the spatula would be angled upward. Moving in the opposite direction, the spatula strokes are angled downward.

Where Do You Want the Air to Go?

In the summertime – or any time you are feeling too warm – you want to feel a breeze of cool air. The best way to do this is to be sure the fan blade is “scooping” up the cooler air below and wafting it upwards. In other words, the “spatula” should be stroking upwards. In the wintertime – or any time you are feeling too cool – you want that warm air trapped up by ceiling to come down and surround you. So you want the fan blades to be pushing the air downward.

How Do You Change It?

You are never really changing the angle of the blades – they stay stationary inside the fan fixture. However, there is usually a small, two-position switch somewhere near the fan motor (towards the center mechanism, not on the blades). Turn the fan on and observe which way it is “scooping” the air: upwards or downwards. If it needs to be changed, turn the fan off and wait for it to come to a stop. Then flip this switch in the other direction, and turn the fan back on. Never try to flip this switch while the blades are still rotating!

Use Fans Year-Round

Most people have no problem using ceiling fans in the summer to create a “wind chill effect” – in other words, to increase evaporation from the skin, which makes us feel cooler. But many avoid using their fans in cooler months for that same reason. But if your ceiling fan is spinning the correct direction (as described above) you can save as much as 15% on heating costs… just turn the fan to a lower speed setting to minimize the wind chill effect. Look at it this way: you’ve already paid to heat the air that is now trapped near the ceiling… why not spread it around to help warm the people in the room? This is even more critical if you heat the room with a form of localized heat – such as a space heater or wood-burning stove.

Saving Energy, Money, and Feeling More Comfortable

By having fans rotating the correct direction at any given time of the year, you can save money on your heating and cooling costs because you’ll be saving energy. You’ll be able to set your thermostat higher in summer and lower in winter and still feel comfortable. By moving the air, fans help to “mix” the various layers of cooler and warmer air that naturally stratify due to physics. This will help your HVAC system run more efficiently and increase your comfort, no matter the season.

Important Tips

If your ceiling fan does not have a way to “winterize” it (e.g., to change rotation direction), consider replacing it with a model that does. Also, don’t forget to clean the fan blades and replace any burned out light bulbs (if your model has lights) while you’re flipping that switch. Ceiling fans should only be used in rooms with ceilings at least 8 feet high. For optimal performance, the fab blades should be 7-9 feet above the floor and 10-12 inches below the ceiling. Larger ceiling fans can move more air than smaller fans, and a larger blade will also provide comparable cooling at a lower velocity than a smaller blade. Some large rooms are best served by installing 2 or more ceiling fans. We recommend fans that have earned the EnergyStar^® label – they move air up to 20% more efficiently than standard models.

Here’s another tip for the changing seasons: Remember to schedule an HVAC maintenance tune-up to ensure there are no surprises later in the dead of winter or the heat of summer. And, we can’t preach it enough: the most important thing you can do to keep your HVAC system running more efficiently and prolong its life is to change your air filters. Set up reminders every 3 months and never miss a filter change.

If you live in the Nashville or surrounding area, Interstate AC Service can get your HVAC system ready for whatever lies ahead. Call on us at (615) 832-8500.

Should I Turn Off My AC While On Vacation?

Written by Kevin on August 1, 2017. Posted in Air Conditioning. No Comments on Should I Turn Off My AC While On Vacation?

Cooling an empty house – either when you’re gone during the day at work, or when you’re away for an extended vacation – seems like a bad idea since it uses electricity and energy, and wastes money. So, it’s natural to assume that the best way to save money is to turn it off when not in use, right? Not so! Here’s why:

While you’re gone, the house heats up, but it does so unevenly – with some areas or materials retaining pockets of cooler air and others having pockets of warmer air. This can cause condensation inside the walls, around pipes and around windows, while indoor humidity rises. In Tennessee, it’s like we always say: it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity! The increased humidity in your home attracts bugs and greatly accelerates mold growth. Over time, this moisture and mold can damage a house, causing fowl smells, wood deterioration and warping, buckling of wallpaper, peeling paint, and can damage sensitive artwork, electronics, and bottled wine. High humidity also greatly increases allergens in the air – bacteria, mold, fungus, and dust mites – which get deposited in your living space. Remember: the number one thing air conditioning provides is dehumidification!

What’s the Solution?

The best solution is to turn the air conditioning down a few degrees but not completely off when not in use. If you’re going to be gone for less than 12 hours, we recommend turning the thermostat up by no more than 4-6 degrees. This way, you won’t come home to a humid, stuffy house and your air conditioner will not have to work very hard to cool the house down to your “normal” setting. On the other hand, if you’re going away on vacation for a week, we recommend turning your thermostat up by no more than about 7-10 degrees. This will allow you to save the maximum amount on cooling without risking damage from humidity. A good rule of thumb to keep humidity at bay is to never set your thermostat higher than 82 degrees.

Programmable Thermostats to the Rescue!

Here’s where having a programmable thermostat is ideal. You can set it to automatically be a few degrees higher during the portions of the workday when you are away, so you won’t need to remember to do this manually each day. Most thermostats also have an “away” setting you can use while on vacation. Don’t want to come home to a hot house? Many smart thermostats give you the ability to reset the temperature remotely, so you can turn down the temperature a couple of hours before you return.

Other Summer Vacation Tips

Do not steam clean carpets during the summer. This will increase humidity and cause moisture to be retained in the carpet and padding (especially if you’re turning the thermostat up!), and thus increases the mold and allergen problem. It’s best to clean carpets during the winter months, when humidity is lower, and room heat can aid in drying the carpet and pad more quickly.

Do not leave exhaust fans on while you’re on vacation. This only serves to exhaust the already cooled air and makes your air conditioner work harder.

Remove any standing water in the house – whether from a pet’s water dish (assuming you’re not leaving your pet behind), or in saucers around plants. Water your plants the night before and pour out any excess water just before leaving. Many plants are able to take in moisture from the humidity in the air, and leaving standing water around only attract bugs and mold… especially if you are raising the thermostat up several degrees.

Check out our many posts for more helpful tips to get the most out of your heating and air-conditioning year round. If you live in the Nashville and surrounding area, Interstate AC Service is here for you! Call on us at 615-802-2665.

15 Ways to Keep Cool for Less

Written by Kevin on July 15, 2017. Posted in Air Conditioning. No Comments on 15 Ways to Keep Cool for Less

Here in Middle TN, we use our air-conditioners more months of the year than our heat. In fact, the average electricity consumption for Tennessee households is 33% higher than the national average (EIA, 2015 report) and is among the highest in the nation! So anything that can help keep us cool while also saving money is a welcome relief! Here are some tips to help you stay cool and save money during the summer:

First, let’s look inside your home…

Install a programmable thermostat: According to the US Dept of Energy, this can save you hundreds of dollars per year – and not just during the summer months, but year-round!

Use LED lights: LED bulbs are 75% more efficient because they eliminate most of the heat produced by traditional lighting… which means your air-conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard.

Circulate the air: Use a fan to keep the air moving, especially on upper floors. Moving air causes faster evaporation from the skin and has a cooling effect – making it feel up to 8 degrees cooler – without touching that thermostat.

Smart cooking: Decrease indoor heat by using a microwave oven, rather than your thermal oven or stove, whenever possible. Better yet, eat foods like salads that do not require cooking. If you must boil or bake, do so in the evening when it’s cooler.

Use exhaust fans wisely: Make sure you turn on the vent fans in areas that create moisture, like the shower, bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room, and turn them off as soon as most of the moisture has dissipated, so you’re not exhausting cold air to the outside! If you do not have exhaust fans, consider installing some.

Replace air filters: every 3 months or more frequently, if needed. If you have spring and summer allergies, buy the higher quality air filters that can filter out pollens.

Keep the sun out: Use drapes, blinds, shades or screens to block the sunlight, especially during the hottest part of the day, or when you’re not at home.

Get a tune-up: Regular maintenance by your HVAC system professional will keep your air-conditioning running at optimal efficiency and will address potential failures, thus saving you money in the long-run.

Optimize air flow: Make sure all supply and return vents are open and unblocked. Keep all doors and windows closed and make sure they’re well-sealed. Seal any leaks in the ductwork and around windows.

Insulate the attic: Adding attic insulation, while making sure the attic is well-vented by keeping the eaves unobstructed, is the best investment you can make. And it pays for itself by saving you money year-round.

Now, let’s see what can be done outside your home to keep you cooler and save money….

Clear it out: Keep the area surrounding your outdoor unit clear of all obstructions 2-3 feet all the way around. Don’t allow the lawn mower to discharge grass clippings into the unit. Weekly, remove debris such as leaves, pollen, and twigs from the top and sides of the outdoor unit, and keep plants and shrubs trimmed. If the outdoor unit is crowded by a fence or shrubs, or if the bottom few inches is buried under mulch, air-flow will be restricted, which decreases your air-conditioner’s efficiency, reduces its life span, and damages the unit.

Provide shade: Keep your outside unit in the shade as much as possible. This can boost air conditioning efficiency by up to 10%.

Light colors: Just as wearing light-colored clothing helps keep you cooler, painting the exterior of your house a lighter color, or having a lighter colored roof will keep the home cooler. Although your house won’t absorb as much heat in the winter, the net energy savings in summer far exceed the energy penalty in the winter, especially in our region of the country.

Upgrade your windows. Installing double or triple pane windows will save energy year-round. But, if you can’t do that, try adding a reflective window film to your existing windows. This will reflect heat before it can come through the glass, and it’s transparent, so you can still see out.

Update your HVAC: If your HVAC system is more than 15 years old, you can cut your utility bills by up to half if you switch it out for one of the new higher efficiency units. Or use some of the newer technologies, like a mini-split, in certain areas of your home.

At Interstate AC Service, we’re here for all your heating and air-conditioning needs. If you live in the Nashville or surrounding area, call on us at 615-802-2665. Let us help you keep cool this summer.

Replacing An Existing HVAC System

Written by Kevin on June 1, 2017. Posted in General Advice. No Comments on Replacing An Existing HVAC System

There will come a time in the life of every HVAC system when it will need to be replaced. See our post on repair or replace to get tips on how to tell whether your unit is a candidate for replacement. Once that decision is made, it is wise to get a couple of quotes. Replacing an HVAC unit is definitely not a do-it-yourself project! It takes an experienced estimator, specially trained installers, and special tools. Plus, in most shops, installers are not repair technicians, as different skills are involved. In this video, we follow along while one homeowner gets an estimate to have the HVAC unit replaced during the remodeling of a 1950’s era house in West Nashville, and a second homeowner in a 1928 home has their second floor unit replaced.

The first step is to perform a survey to be able to estimate the work to be done. Tommy Gentry, Service Specialist, has a conversation with the homeowner.
When the survey is complete, Tommy writes down all data and gives the homeowner a price. Once the homeowner accepts the price, Tommy makes arrangements for the installation through the scheduler, allowing for all needed parts to be available, and on a day convenient for the homeowner. In this second case, it was 3 days from the date of the estimate until the job was completed.
The truck arrived at 8:30am loaded with all the parts and gasses required. The HVAC unit being replaced was on the second floor of the house. Care was taken to lay down cloth mats over all the carpets and floors in the HVAC unit’s path.
Next, the refrigerant was removed from the outside unit with an electric pump, and loaded into a recycle can. A pressure meter is used to determine when all the refrigerant has been removed. It is illegal to let refrigerant escape into the atmosphere due to its harmful environmental effects. This refrigerant, called R-22, can be cleaned and used for repairing older units. New HVAC units use a different type of refrigerant, R-410A, which is more environmentally friendly. Since federal law has phased out production of R22, making prices skyrocket, it is worthwhile to capture it so it can be recycled.
Next, demolition of the inside unit began. The power was turned off, the power wires to the unit were cut, and the thermostat was disconnected. It was now safe to cut the copper refrigerant pipes. All pieces of the old unit were removed and carried out.
The new inside unit was installed and all the connections were made. A special propane torch was used to make the copper refrigerant line connections.
The outside unit was completely disconnected and the parts were carried away.
The old HVAC base pad was removed. The ground was leveled underneath and a new base pad was installed that was much sturdier than the old one. Having a level pad is essential to the HVAC unit’s operation.
The new outside unit was installed on the new base pad, and the power and control wires were connected. As before, a propane torch was used to connect the copper refrigerant lines.
Now it was time to test the refrigerant lines for leaks. Nitrogen under pressure was introduced from a container. Nitrogen is an inexpensive inert gas. It is used for testing rather than using actual refrigerant – in this case R-410A refrigerant – because if there is a leak detected, it would all have to be removed, the leak fixed, and fresh expensive R-410A installed. In his case, there were no leaks so the job continued.
The electric pump was used to remove the nitrogen and the pink container R-410A refrigerant was installed.
The new system was tested in both heating and cooling modes, and worked really well.
The last step was to load all the trash on the truck and haul it to the recycle yard.

Let Interstate AC Service help you make wise investments when it comes to heating and air-conditioning. If you live in the Nashville or surrounding area, give us call at 615-802-2665.

Does Solar Air-Conditioning Make Sense?

Written by Kevin on May 15, 2017. Posted in Air Conditioning. No Comments on Does Solar Air-Conditioning Make Sense?

Sunlight is a free and limitless source of energy. Solar energy produces no air pollution or hazardous waste. Solar-powered air-conditioning makes sense since it’s typically hottest when the sun is shining… and that’s when air-conditioning use is most in demand! Switching to solar could reduce your heating and cooling costs by half.

Solar air conditioning refers to any cooling system that uses solar power, which is typically supplied by photo-voltaic (PV) cells, engineered into solar panels. Solar has been around a long time, and many products are now in the 4^th (or later) generation. They are available for both residential and commercial applications. Here are just a few of the types of solar air-conditioners to choose from:

Off-Grid: Units that run 100% on solar power run on DC power. These are referred to as “off-grid” because they do not require power from the utility company, e.g., they don’t have to be plugged in. An example of this type are solar-powered window air-conditioning units. They operate on DC power only (from solar panels), and use external battery backup (usually good for about 8 hours operation). The battery is so that the unit will continue to function even when the sun is not shining, like at night. A window unit is expensive – $2-3,000 – but it can be used totally “off-grid” which means there are no energy costs during operation.

Hybrid Systems: Hybrid systems use solar power when available and supplement that with regular electricity (AC power) as needed, and do not require batteries. During the day, solar power provides 90% of the system’s electricity. At night, it switches over to regular grid power. Examples of this type include room-sized/area-sized units, like a mini-split, or whole-house units, like a hybrid heat pump. One advantage of hybrid systems is that they can also provide heat during the winter. [Check out our previous posts on mini-splits: What You Need to Know About Mini-Splits, Cooling an Add-on Space, Saving Energy and Improving Comfort] .

Solar-Ready Systems: These are systems made like “traditional” central air-conditioning units, in that they use 220V AC power, but some of the electricity feeding it can be obtained from solar panels. The Lennox SunSource Home System is one such system. The more solar panels you add (from 1 to 16) the more money you can save in energy costs. You can start small and expand over time, adding other appliances, such as the home’s water heater, making a total home energy system.

Misconceptions

There are many misconceptions when it comes to solar. For example:

Solar panels do not have to be in full sun to operate. They also operate in partial sun or shade.
Solar panels do not have to go on the roof. They can go just beside the outdoor unit.
Hybrid solar units are not bigger than normal air conditioners. In fact, because of their more efficient design, the compressor can actually be smaller than in a traditional unit. And a smaller compressor consumes less electricity!
Solar units are actually more efficient the hotter it gets outside, because more energy is collected in the thermal hybrid collector.
Installation costs are comparable to that of conventional units, and prices of solar units have come way down.
Using solar does not compromise comfort in any way, and the units do not look awkward or obtrusive. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a solar-powered unit will increase your home’s value substantially and can help your home sell faster!

Advantages are Environmental, Economic, and Comfort

There are numerous advantages to solar.

Solar air-conditioners are quieter than traditional units. The ones that run on DC power – such as the hybrid mini-splits – are so quiet that you can walk right up to it and not even know it’s on.
Solar units last a long time. Most have at least a 10-year warranty (with some parts having more), and some manufacturers have performance warranties of up to 25 years.
Most hybrid or solar-ready units offer seasonal energy efficiency ratios or SEER values in the 21-26 range, as compared with traditional HVAC units which have SEER values around 14. [See our post: What’s your SEER? Does it Matter?]
Solar units are typically Energy Star certified, very efficient, and prevent greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, they use the new R-410A refrigerant, which is more environmentally friendly.

ROI: Fast Payback

The payback period for a complete system (solar-powered heat and air) is about 2-5 years. With tax credits, the cost of installation can be paid for within the first 6 months of operation! Plus, many vendors offer interest-free financing. The federal solar tax credit, also known as the investment tax credit (ITC), allows you to deduct 30% of the cost of installing a solar energy system from your federal taxes. The ITC applies to both residential and commercial systems, and there is no cap on its value. The 30% tax cut was extended through 2019, and then gradually decreases each year from 2020 through 2022, where it levels off at 10%. What’s more, a solar-powered home can actually earn money: if your house is not using all the power it is generating, you may be able to sell excess power generated back to the utility company!

It is easy to see that if you get tax breaks for installation, the system saves you half on your energy bills and you can sell energy back (making money from the system throughout its lifetime), that a 2-5 year payback can actually be quite realistic.

**Interstate AC Service is not a reseller or installer of solar panels.

Count on Interstate AC Service to help keep you up-to-date on the latest technologies. If you live in the Nashville & surrounding area, know you can rely on us for all your heating and air-conditioning needs.

A New Look

Written by Kevin on May 1, 2017. Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on A New Look

Interstate AC Service has expanded and renovated its facility at 1877 Air Lane Drive in Nashville, Tennessee. This video provides a tour of the new facilities and talks about the work that goes on there. There is also a new look to our company website; it’s been re-designed to make it even easier to use.

Near the intersection of I-40 and Briley Parkway in Nashville, you’ll find the offices of Interstate AC Service at 1877 Air Lane Drive. This building has been home to our facility since Interstate AC Service was founded in 2004, but has undergone transformations over the years. When we moved into this building 13 years ago, we shared it with an ambulance company, but by 2015, the ambulance company moved out, and the rapid growth of Interstate AC Service meant more space was needed. The old building was completely renovated and expanded. The building is two-stories high in back and one-story in front. We expanded the parking area for our trucks and staff, and provided an improved working environment for our employees. Walking through the glass enclosed entryway, you are now in the reception area with a corridor leading to a large conference room. On the way to the conference room, you pass by the break room. The corridor walls are decorated with beautiful Nashville scenes… very appropriate as we are a Nashville-based company! This one shows the Legislative Plaza, War Memorial Auditorium and State Capital building. Catherine Taylor, our Controller, admires this photo of Nashville’s Parthenon. In this corridor are photos of the old train station which is now the Union Station Hotel. Tommy Gentry is a Service Specialist with many years’ experience designing residential HVAC systems and providing cost estimates. The group of offices by the wall are for our commercial sales experts.

The nerve center of our new offices is this room dedicated to our dispatch staff. Our dispatchers are the first people our customers talk to and we value the trust you put in us. Tony Anderson is one of the founders of Interstate AC Service, and he engineered the renovation of the new facilities. This corner office is occupied by Swaney Powers. He is in charge of our repair and installation work force. Every Monday morning, all our technicians arrive in their trucks to have parts and refrigerants replenished, engine oil changed, and any necessary truck maintenance. While that is going on, Swaney meets with the technicians, discusses process improvement, and helps resolve problems. On the second level, you’ll find the accounting area. They keep the books, prepare invoices, and make payments. Catherine Taylor keeps this area of our business running smoothly. The commercial group is also on this floor and has space to spread out the large drawings required for retail and office building projects. Out in the yard is warehouse space and lots of parking. Our digital sign towers above the yard and is visible to drivers on I-40 heading west. It can display a variety of messages.

Protecting Your HVAC from Storms

Written by Kevin on April 15, 2017. Posted in Maintenance. No Comments on Protecting Your HVAC from Storms

In Middle Tennessee, destructive storms are not only the norm, but becoming more frequent. Tennessee has already had more tornadoes so far this year than all of last year or the year before! Your HVAC system is the single most costly system in your home – not just in yearly maintenance and energy costs, but also when it comes to replacing it. Although you cannot prevent tornadoes, snow/ice storms, wind, hail, rain, lightening, and floods, you can help prevent some of the associated HVAC-related repair or replacement costs by taking a few precautions. This post will provide useful tips for protecting your HVAC before and during a storm, as well as tips for dealing with some common problems after the storm has passed.

Before the Storm

In the spring (before “tornado season”) and in the fall (before snow and ice hit), go through this checklist:

Anchor the outdoor unit. Your outside AC equipment should be installed on a level, raised, pad. Ensure water does not pool near the unit during a heavy rain by ensuring downspouts are routed far away from the unit, that there is an adequate gravel border around the pad, and the land is sloped for optimal drainage.

Remove projectiles. In Nashville, it is not uncommon to find your neighbor’s lawn furniture blown into your yard after a storm, or to have tree limbs fall on your property. Secure or store any loose items from your yard such as lawn furniture or grills that can be blown into the outdoor unit. Remove or trim all bushes, trees and dead branches that could fall onto the unit in a storm.

Install hail guards. It has become commonplace for Tennessee to get hail along with rain and winds. Impacts from hail can be particularly damaging to the fins and refrigerant coil of the condensing unit. Hail guards are thick metal “netting” that can stay in place year-round and still allow operation of the system (unlike covers!). They can be installed with hinges so they can be easily removed for servicing the unit.

Prevent electrical shorts. Be sure to cover and secure any wires between the outdoor unit and the house so that they are not exposed. If they get wet or frayed, they could short out! Over time, even insulated wires can deteriorate by normal sun and temperature changes. Styrofoam “noodles” with hollowed out centers for wrapping around wires) are one way to keep the wires protected, and they can easily be cut to any length and taped shut with weather-proof tape.

Install surge suppression. Storms often cause electrical disturbances or fluctuations in power (so-called “surges”). To protect your HVAC equipment, install a high-quality surge protector that will automatically turn off your HVAC system to protect it from damage if there’s a spike in the line voltage. Consult an electrician to install a surge protector at the circuit breaker box. This can prevent expensive repairs due to blown fuses, burnt capacitors, and fried compressors.

Install a sump pump, if necessary. Basement floods are a major cause of HVAC system problems. Protect your equipment by installing a sump pump to automatically detect and remove water. Consult a water-proofing professional to address your foundation and basement issues. Keeping the basement and crawlspaces dry will also prevent mold from being drawn into the ductwork.

During a Storm

With all the weather alerts provided by various media – on TV, on our phones, and audible sirens – we often have at least a few minutes advance notice of impending destructive weather. First and foremost, you need to seek shelter, but if time allows here are some steps you can take to prevent HVAC equipment damage:

Turn it off. Avoid using your HVAC during a storm. Power surges might cause damage to its electronics. Shut off your heating and cooling system at the thermostat first, then at the circuit breaker. This ensures your AC or furnace will not inadvertently turn on during a storm, possibly damaging the coils or fins.
Cover it. Most outdoor condensing units are not sheltered from the weather. Air conditioner covers (usually made of heavy canvas or vinyl) are relatively cheap, available online, and offer good protection from hail storms and snow and ice. However, the system must remain off while it is covered. Prior to turning your equipment back on after the storm, you must remember to remove the cover and any debris that has gathered on or around it. Tip: Do not use a tarp or other protective cover that completely covers the unit, as it can cause moisture to build up inside the unit or attract animals seeking shelter. Leave at least a foot of space around the bottom of the unit to allow it to breathe.

After the Storm has Passed

After the storm has passed, do not immediately switch the HVAC unit back on! First, inspect your outdoor condensing unit for any signs of damage. Look for cracks, impacts from hail or flying debris, harm to any of the refrigerant or electrical lines, and remove any debris that has fallen in or around the unit. Check if there has been any movement or shifting of the unit off the pad, or if flooding and erosion has now caused the system to be un-level. If you see any of this, call a licensed professional to inspect your system before turning it back on. If any power lines have fallen nearby your unit, do not approach the HVAC unit or turn it on until they are cleared.

But, What if…?

The more typical scenario is that the storm caused a power outage, and when the power was restored, the HVAC did not come back on as expected. If this is the case, then after visually inspecting the inside and outside units and seeing no damage, follow these steps:

Check the thermostat, to be sure it has power. Turn the thermostat off and then back on, wait a couple of minutes, then change the temperature to a setting that would normally trigger the unit to come on, and give it a few minutes to cycle. If the unit still does not come on, then turn it off at the thermostat and proceed with step 2.
Check the circuit breaker. If it has been tripped, flip it off, wait a minute, and flip it back on again. Then re-try step 1. If the unit comes on for a short period and then goes off again, or if the circuit breaker is immediately tripped again, proceed to step 3.
Call an HVAC service professional. If there is evidence of a melted or burned fuse at the fuse box, contact a licensed electrical professional. In either case, leave the unit turned off until help arrives.

In the event there has been visible damage or the unit has been hit by lightning, make photos of the damaged unit for your insurance company. Most insurance policies cover power surge damage to HVAC units and their associated electronics (thermostat, etc.). Also, if there is any question, contact an HVAC professional so that something small does not turn into a major expense. For example, replacing a damaged capacitor is an inexpensive repair but if it is ignored, it can lead to a failed compressor which is an extremely costly replacement.

Whether you need help preparing for a storm or dealing with its aftermath, know you can rely on Interstate AC Service to find the most affordable, effective way to deal with the problem. If you live in the Nashville or surrounding area, call on us at (615) 832-8500.

5 of the Best HVAC Investments You Can Make

Written by Kevin on March 31, 2017. Posted in General Advice. No Comments on 5 of the Best HVAC Investments You Can Make

With heating and cooling accounting for roughly 50% of your home’s energy consumption, things that decrease your monthly energy costs or help your HVAC to be more efficient are the best investments you can make. Here are the 5 best ways to optimize your HVAC investment:

1. Adding Attic Insulation

Close to 30% of your energy costs are due to heated air rising and escaping out the attic (during cold weather), and warm air coming in causing your air-conditioning to work harder (during warm weather). Laying insulation is an easy DIY project which can be done in a weekend with fairly inexpensive materials. It is the one most cost-effective thing you can do to improve comfort and lower your bills year-round. Tip: When laying insulation, don’t forget the attic access door, including weather stripping!

2. Upgrade Your Thermostat

Using a programmable thermostat is one of the best investments you can make to your HVAC system. By automatically setting the temperature down a few degrees when you are away and while you are sleeping, you could save up to 10% per year on energy costs year round, without sacrificing comfort. Upgrading your thermostat can be a DIY project, with companies like Honeywell and Nest offering installation tutorials on their websites, and it takes only minutes. Some new thermostats can be controlled using a smartphone or voice control, and can learn your habits or sense when you’re home, and adjust the temperature accordingly. Tip: Check out our posts on the new crop of thermostats here: Smart Thermostat Comparisons, Giving Away Smart Thermostats, Honeywell Wi-Fi Thermostat Case Study, Smart Thermostats, and Results of Our Smart Thermostat Poll. Let us know if you need help installing one!

3. Get Your HVAC Serviced

Money Magazine states that regular HVAC system maintenance is one of the best investments you can make. A professional inspection twice per year can find and fix minor problems before they turn into major ones, and makes sure your system is tuned up to operate most efficiently. Get your system checked before air-conditioning season in the spring, and before heating season in the fall. The bottom line is that regular HVAC maintenance saves you money! Tip: The easiest thing you can do to help maintain your system is to change out the filters on a regular basis. See our posts: Air Filter Fundamentals, Selecting an Air Filter, Are More Expensive Air Filters Better?

4. Replace Your HVAC System

If your system is more than 10-12 years old or has become a maintenance hog, you’re best served by investing in a new HVAC system. Since the R-22 refrigerant used by older systems has become increasingly expensive and scarce, an upgrade to a new unit that uses R-410A coolant makes sense. Plus, a new HVAC unit will offer greater efficiency, making your monthly bills much lower (see our post What’s Your SEER?). If you are buying or selling a house, there is no doubt that an up-to-date HVAC system is an attractive value – and an old HVAC system a significant deterrent. On the fence about replacing your system? See our posts Repair vs. Replacement, and Repair/Replacement – What’s the Real Question?

5. Beyond the HVAC System

Some of the best HVAC investments are things you can do which will lessen the need for your HVAC to work so hard. Using ceiling fans will allow you to raise your thermostat 4 degrees without sacrificing comfort. Replacing windows with energy-efficient ones, and using caulk and weather stripping around windows and doors will save energy year-round. Replace your incandescent light bulbs with LED lights, which generate less heat. Use curtains or blinds inside and landscaping (trees) outside to lessen the amount of sunlight into the home, particularly on south-facing windows. This can save you up to 25% on summer energy costs. Despite what you may think, closing vents actually strains an HVAC system, resulting in more energy use, not less, so keep them open! Need to section off an area of your home? Consider zoning (see our post Is Zone Control for your HVAC the Answer?).

Let Interstate AC Service help you make wise investments when it comes to heating and air-conditioning. If you live in the Nashville or surrounding area, give us call at 615-802-2665.

Is Zone Control For Your HVAC the Answer?

Written by Kevin on March 1, 2017. Posted in General Advice. No Comments on Is Zone Control For Your HVAC the Answer?

Do you find the second level of your home stays too hot while the first floor stays too cold? Tired of fighting over the thermostat or lugging a space heater from room to room? Do the large windows or vaulted ceilings in your home cause pockets of hot and cold air? It is not uncommon for even a well-maintained central HVAC system to have difficulty maintaining a comfortable, consistent temperature throughout a home. Zoning can solve a variety of these problems, plus offer up to 30% increased efficiencies, which translates into lower energy bills for you. A zoned HVAC system is a cost-effective alternative to having dual air systems (2 central HVAC units) that need separate furnaces and air conditioners for different areas of the home.

Zoned systems have become very popular on new home construction, but they can also be added to existing homes. Just about any forced-air system can be retrofitted for zone control. In this post, we’ll talk about what’s involved in retrofitting your single HVAC unit into multiple zones.

How Zoning Works

Multiple electronic thermostats – one in each zone – are wired to a control panel, or they may communicate with the control panel wirelessly. Electronically-controlled dampers are installed in the ductwork and wired to the control panel. Each thermostat continually reads the temperature in that zone and if it’s too low or too high, it sends a signal to the control panel to close or open the damper to that zone, thus regulating and controlling air flow to that zone.

Saving Money

Not only is system zoning helpful for houses with inconsistent room temperatures, but it’s also great for saving energy by not heating or cooling areas of the home where it’s not needed. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, system zoning can save homeowners up to 30 percent on a typical heating and cooling bill. Maybe you have a whole area of your house that is seldom used now that your son/daughter has gone off to college, so why pay to heat and cool it? Maybe you’re having to turn your current system way up just to keep the lower level warm enough, while the upper level is sweltering. System zoning allows you to save money by running temperature-controlled air to rooms only when it is necessary.

Planning the Zones

The number of zones your home needs will affect the way you set up the system. In a two-zone system, with the zones being fairly equal in size, each zone’s ductwork must be capable of handling up to 70 percent of the total CFM (cubic feet per minute) of air produced by your HVAC system. In a three-zone system, the zones need to be as close in total area as possible. In this case, each zone’s ductwork should be able to handle up to 50 percent of the total CFM. Retrofitting more than 3 zones in a home may require ducts to be enlarged and/or to install a static pressure relief damper (also called a bypass damper), which will make retrofitting much more costly. So, when retrofitting, you’ll typically want to keep it to only 2 or 3 zones. Of course, if it’s a new install, the sky’s the limit, and it’s not unusual to have each room as a separate zone.

Not a DIY Project

Adding zoning to an existing HVAC system is not a DIY project, so you’ll want to consult an HVAC professional. Depending on your duct layout, you may need to re-work the ducts to add a second zone. But, before spending money on a zoning retrofit system, there are several things you can and should do which may help address many of these uneven heating and cooling issues, and may even eliminate the need for zoning. We’ll talk about these in an upcoming post.

If you live in the Nashville or surrounding areas and have questions about whether zoning is an appropriate solution for you, give us a call at 615-802-2665. We’re here to answer your hardest questions and to help make your home a little more comfortable.

3 Tips to Make Your HVAC More Energy Efficient In the Winter Months

Written by Kevin on January 3, 2017. Posted in General Advice. No Comments on 3 Tips to Make Your HVAC More Energy Efficient In the Winter Months

The cold months of winter arrive this week. After the deep freeze we experienced last week, it looks like Middle Tennessee may be in for a challenging winter in 2017. During these long, cold winter months your furnace will work much harder and will require more energy than any other time of year. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take now to make your HVAC more energy efficient and save you money during the winter months!

1. Change the filter.

This is one of the easiest ways to make your furnace more energy efficient. If your filters are dirty the furnace will have to work harder to heat the home. Here’s a helpful resource we put together for choosing the right air filter for your home. We recommend filters with MERV ratings between 8 and 11. They seem to be the most cost-effective.

2. Locate and take care of drafty areas in your home.

A good exercise is to get near a drafty area, close your eyes and imagine dollar bills leaving your home along with the heat. In our previous blog post, 4 THINGS YOU CAN DO NOW TO PREPARE FOR WINTER we took you through some of the most drafty areas of your home and provided some tips on sealing them to prepare your home for winter. Managing your drafts can result in energy savings during the winter months

3. Lower your thermostat while sleeping or away from home.

If you do not yet have a smart thermostat you will need to do this manually. There’s really no need for your HVAC unit to work hard when everyone is sleeping or no one is home. The Department of Energy says You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day- a normal workday!

There are further steps you can take to continue to reduce energy costs in your home but just starting with these 3 will get you off to a good start!

If you need help and live in the Nashville and surrounding area, please call on us at 615-802-2665. The professionals at Interstate AC Service are here for you.